By REYNALD MAGALLON
Tyler Bey presided over a huge second half storm as Magnolia completed an epic comeback from 26 points down to nip Ginebra, 93-91, in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup before a huge Manila Clasico crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 19.
The Hotshots didn’t play like a team that has been unbeaten for a couple of months now in the first half but Jio Jalalon provided the spark before Bey put on the finishing touches in a huge fourth quarter flurry.
Bey dropped a double-double performance of 31 points and 10 rebounds – 16 of which he unloaded in the final frame including the two nerve-wracking free throws that shoved Magnolia back to the driver seat, 92-91, with 11.5 seconds left.
Ginebra had several chances to retake the lead but Maverick Ahanmisi missed a three-point attempt from the corner while Scottie Thompson overcooked a short stab off his offensive rebound.
Jalalon, who anchored Magnolia on both ends of the floor, forcing turnovers and converting on the other end in the huge third quarter explosion, provided support to Bey with 15 points.
His backcourt partners Mark Barroca and Paul Lee chipped in 13 and nine, respectively.
More than Bey and Jalalon’s explosion, however, it was the Hotshots defense that helped them turn the tides in the victory that kept them undefeated in the season-opening conference after four games.
The pressure on Ginebra guards was unrelenting while the defense in the interior was unforgiving for Magnolia, limiting the Kings to just 38 points in the last two quarters after allowing them to put up 60 in the first half.
Magnolia’s defense focused on stopping Ginebra import Tony Bishop who still finished with 21 points but was held to measly 5-of-17 shooting from the field.
Meantime, Chris Ross hit timely baskets to bail out San Miguel and hand Meralco its first loss courtesy of a 93-83 win.
Ross scored seven in the Beermen’s pivotal 8-2 finishing kick that slammed the door on the stubborn Bolts squad which battled back from an early 21-point deficit.
Memories of SMB’s horrendous opening game loss against NLEX where it led by as many as 19 points but collapsed in the end flashed back when the Beermen’s once 51-30 lead was trimmed down to single digits.
Fortunately, import Ivan Aska managed to stay away from foul trouble to help keep SMB afloat, scoring 11 of his 27 points in the final frame and when Meralco cut the lead down to single digits.
It was a fitting bounce back for the SMB import who was reduced to a spectator in the final six minutes of regulation and overtime in their 117-113 loss to the Road Warriors.
Aska also added 13 rebounds and two steals across his name. June Mar Fajardo chipped in a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds while CJ Perez had 16.
Ross wound up with 10 points to provide a huge lift for the Beermen who notched their first win in the conference despite missing the services of Jericho Cruz, Marcio Lassiter, and Jeron Teng.
It also didn’t help that Terrence Romeo exited the game in the second quarter due to a knee injury and Kyt Jimenez was forced to head back to the bench after receiving an elbow to the face from Cliff Hodge.
Meralco came closest at four points, 81-85, with 2:14 left following back-to-back triples from Chris Newsome. The veteran and playing assistant coach for the team Ross then retaliated with a personal 5-0 run – first a booming triple and cold-blooded free throws to restore order for the Beermen.
